EU tightens checks on Vietnamese farm exports over pesticide residues

The ministry said on Friday that dragon fruit shipments to the EU are currently checked at a rate of 30 percent under Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2019/1793, reflecting heightened scrutiny over pesticide residues.

Chili and okra are subject to checks at 50 percent, while durian faces a lower rate of 20 percent.

Passion fruit, however, remains outside the bloc’s enhanced inspection regime.

The update comes amid concerns that Vietnamese exports such as dragon fruit and passion fruit could face tighter EU controls over pesticide residues.

Regarding France’s report on residue monitoring, the ministry said it has not received any official notification through the Vietnam Sanitary and Phytosanitary Notification Authority and Enquiry Point or via the Vietnam Trade Office in France.

However, information on the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s portal indicates that the report is based on inspection data from 2024.

When notified by the EU of non-compliance with maximum residue limits, the agricultural ministry conducts traceability checks, investigates the causes and submits corrective reports to EU authorities.

It has also issued directives and held meetings to urge local authorities, industry groups and businesses to strengthen food safety controls, particularly for export goods.

As a result, EU food safety non-compliance alerts involving Vietnam have declined sharply, falling from 64 in 2024 to 17 in 2025.

To address violations and support negotiations to reduce inspection rates, the ministry has tasked the Crop Production and Plant Protection Department to work with the EU’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) on inspections of chili, dragon fruit and durian.

EU inspectors gave positive feedback, particularly on Vietnam’s licensing system, pesticide circulation control and the proactive role of the private sector.

They also agreed on an action plan to address remaining shortcomings.

A report on the plan’s implementation is expected in May and will help DG SANTE decide whether to maintain, tighten or ease inspection frequencies.

In recent years, the EU has tightened maximum residue limits and expanded controls on imported agricultural products, the ministry said.

Beyond protecting consumer health and the environment, these rules are increasingly seen as technical barriers due to stricter requirements, frequent updates and the rapid rollout of new regulations, often without adequate transition periods.

On January 29, 2026, the EU shifted from a risk-based to a hazard-based approach to setting residue limits.

Under the new model, high-risk substances, such as those linked to cancer or endocrine disruption, are subject to a default maximum residue limit of 0.01mg per kilogram, effectively close to zero.

The change shows the EU is not only increasing border inspections but also tightening acceptable residue thresholds, particularly for substances no longer permitted within the bloc.

The new approach is expected to affect the entire supply chain, from farming and harvesting to processing and export.

In response, the agricultural ministry will finalize a technical report on corrective actions to support talks to reduce inspection rates for key exports such as dragon fruit, chili, okra and durian.

It also plans to organize training sessions and conferences to help businesses, farmers and local officials keep pace with evolving EU regulations.